CITY V SPURS PREVIEW

CHRIS Hughton will be looking for an immediate response from his side on Wednesday night when they tackle his former side Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclays Premier League at Carrow Road.

The Canaries slipped to an FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Luton Town on Saturday, and will be hoping to put that right in front of their own fans with a repeat of the display that saw them beat Andre Villas-Boas’ side 2-1 here in the Capital One Cup earlier this season.

Spurs were also dumped out of the FA Cup at the weekend with a 2-1 defeat to Championship side Leeds United, so will be hoping for a reaction at Carrow Road.

In the corresponding fixture at White Hart Lane earlier this season, the sides drew 1-1 thanks to Robert Snodgrass’ late goal cancelling out Mousa Dembele’s opener, although the Canaries created enough chances throughout the match have snatched all three points.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm, and you can listen live to the action through Canaries Player, as well as following live updates on Canaries.co.uk, and through our official Twitter (@NorwichCityFC) and Facebook pages.

TEAM NEWS:CITY: The Canaries welcome back defenders Sebastien Bassong and Steven Whittaker from injury, whilst striker Steve Morison (thigh) is set to return to fitness in time for next week’s trip to QPR. John Ruddy (thigh) still faces a spell on the sidelines however

SPURS: Striker Jermain Defoe could be a doubt with a hip injury, whilst defenders William Gallas (calf) and Younes Kaboul (knee) are out.

ANDRE VILLAS-BOASMANAGER:
The former Chelsea and Porto manager was the man chosen to replace outgoing Harry Redknapp in the Spurs hot seat during the summer, and has wasted no time in making changes to his squad, bringing in Moussa Dembele and Emmanuel Adebayor, whilst selling Luka Modric to Real Madrid for a reported £33M and signing in Lewis Holty from Schalke.

After beginning his managerial career with Portugese side Academica, the 35-year-old signed a deal to become Porto manager in June 2010. He went on to win the Portugusese Supercup, UEFA Europa League, Portuguese Cup, and an undefeated march to the league title in his first season.

He then moved to Premier League side Chelsea in June 2011, but was dismissed in March 2012 and replaced by Roberto di Matteo.

GARETH BALEONE-TO-WATCH:
The Welsh international will undoubtedly be a concern for the Canaries having already netted 11 goals so far this season.

Since a £5M move from Southampton in 2007, the 23-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength, and racked up over 150 appearances for the White Hart Lane side.

Bale famously scored a second half Champions League hat-trick from the left wing away at Inter Milan in 2010, and those are the type of bursting runs that the Canaries will need to be on guard against come Wednesday.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur

Norwich City wins

Draws

Tottenham wins

League

15

13

23

FA Cup

3

2

1

League Cup

1

0

2

Total

19

15

26

The Canaries have put in three fantastic displays against Spurs in the previous three meetings – two of those victories. City triumphed 2-1 in the League Cup back in October 2012, drew 1-1 at White Hart Lane in September, whilst Elliott Bennett’s stunning goal secured a famous 2-1 win at the Lane last April.

TOP LEAGUE SCORERSCITY: Grant Holt, Robert Snodgrass, Anthony Pilkington – Four league goals

SPURS: Jermain Defoe - 10 league goals

MOST LEAGUE STARTSCITY: Bradley Johnson – 22 league starts

SPURS: Aaron Lennon - 23 league starts

NEIL SWARBRICKREFEREE:
Preston-based Swarbrick will take charge of City’s clash with Spurs on Wednesday, having previously refereed the trip to Newcastle earlier this campaign, in which he awarded a penalty for a foul by Steve Morison on Mike Williamson. The 47-year-old also sent off City defender Daniel Ayala earlier this season, who was playing on loan for Nottingham Forest at Watford.

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